While the Benteke saga has been developing in Birmingham, Paul Lambert and his Aston Villa team are away in Germany as they undergo a training camp and play three games against lower league opposition, SV Rodinghausen, SC Paderborn and VFL Bochum. Yesterday Aston Villa kicked off their pre-season friendlies against SV Rodinghausen. Here are the squads for both halves. All six signings made their debuts.
First Half: Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Bacuna, Albrighton, Delph, Sylla, Bowery, Tonev, Bennett, Herd.
Second Half: Steer, Lowton, Okore [Carruthers], Clark, El Ahmadi, Helenius, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Weimann, Gardner.
The final score line was 1-1 and it was Helenius who scored on his debut. Lowton provided a cross and Helenius headed in from close range. Siek scored a freekick to level the scoreline for SV Rodinghausen. Okore limped off after a back injury and he was replaced by Carruthers, the extent of the injury will be analysed at base.This game was more about fitness rather than the results, so I don’t expect Lambert to be too concerned right now.
A few players did stand out, Albrighton made his return from injury and played well. Was very much involved in the play and not only had a very good chance, but also created a good cross for Bacuna who headed wide. Helenius also impressed, not only did he score the goal he, Weimann and Agbonlahor were all attacking threats throughout the match.
I’ve just watched the highlights and Tonev looks very good, although it was only highlights so he might have been crap for the rest of the half. Also when Helenius scored there was a nice chant of ‘oooooh, Niklas Helenius’ to the tune of the one we sang last season…
All we can do is wait and see how the next two games pan out but it does not bode well for the future if we can;t keep a clean sheet against German lower league teams.If we can;t do it against them it will prove no matter how many more signings are made before the end of the transfer window this team is going to struggle big time in the Premier League.
TJ tell me that’s a wind up.
It’s preseason friendly not much more than a knock about, they played a different line up each half.
Ffs get a grip man.
You couldn’t make it up.
Well you could if you are Terry Jones.
Shock, horror we didn’t beat SV Rodinghausen 10 – 0 in a preseason friendly – so throw that season ticket in the bin, burn that hat & scarf, the skies falling in – We’re All Doomed!
It’s one meaningless game in pre season terry do you honestly think they really give a shit that they conceded a goal.. it’s all about fitness and team bonding.
ADAM mate all i am saying is what will happen when the season starts for real these games should at least give some indication as what we are to expect.Either a team capable of moving forward or not IMO pre-season should give some indication of weather we struggle or not.
IIRC we lost to Basingstoke last year or the year before. It doesn’t mean anything. The team we have now is miles better than the team that went out at West Ham in the first match of the season last year. O & U.
This is worth the read… Go Randy Go!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2360073/Aston-Villa-wont-sell-Christian-Benteke-25m.html
This was actually a very good article.
Well Gentlemen we will see how much of a bench mark these games are when they come up against the Gunners and so forth.Am now waiting to see how they fair in next two games before i formulate a definate opinion.
If we don’t win our next pre-season friendly by at least 10 goals as well as keeping a clean sheet i’m demanding a refund on my season ticket. Everyone knows these results are vital to what is going to happen in premier League this season. Forget about pre-season being about the new players integrating with the team, forget about fitness levels being improved, forget about trying different formations etc etc, the club is a joke, Lamberk hasn’t a clue. TJ and Ooohah should be joint managers, that would guarantee success.
Footballs answer to Captain Mainwaring and Private Frazer -“we’re doomed!”
Billy mate glad you have got Oohahs & my titles right at last.
B6 They could not afford Oohah & Myself we would want to many peanuts.
I sometimes think Terry that you and Oohah either drink too much or don’t drink enough…
Mate the last one whom said that after a session on the Pussers Rum with me went home on his hands and knees and Oohah and myself are not related just we think alike.
Well, you’re alike.
Thanks Bill i take that as a compliment YO OH OH and a bottle of rum.
Off topic but Levy’s at it again… Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy is not prepared to pay that amount, so Villa are said to have Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Scott Parker, Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone to choose from to sweeten the deal.
Seems? Well, this seems to be a waste of my time. That is 35 million nicker in any shop you’re lucky enough to find one in. And you’re complaining about £25m? What school of finance did you study? “It’s a deal, it’s a steal, it’s the sale of the fucking century!” In fact, fuck it Daniel, I think we’ll keep him!
I doubt that Lambert will be interested in any of the Spurs players. We just brought in a LB so Assou-Ekotto is off the list. Parker, a bit too old. Livermore is a maybe.
But remember last time we also swapped a player? I don’t want a repeat of Ireland!
Quite right straight cash or they can do one unless we are talking Bale of course!
Bahaha, no way will such a deal happen. If it does, it will be done behind Lambert’s back and I guarantee you the man will walk away from the club… along with a section of the supporters.
Just to let you know that BT sports have announced their sports programs Aston Villa is on 21st Sept Norwich game. they are e/mailing me the rest, I have BT Vision so free to me. Have we finished talking about that big thing in the middle fed up hearing his name. The cricket just as bad.
Off topic.. But Dires Mertens went to Napoli for a mere 8M..!!
EXACTLY the type if player we should’ve been in for but I think the budget was too tight for if for now..
Next season hopefully once all the big wage bums are finally gone..
I’m sorry but even if Villa were in for him, Villa would never out beat Napoli for a player.
LIONHEART mate no one will want to come next season as we will be in the championship can;t beat lower German league teams then IMO the bench mark as been set.
Jesus TJ your starting early today, are sure a Villa fan mate? That vein of hate, contempt and loathing for the club seems to run pretty deep.
Ok we all have our whinges but If I felt the way you and Oohah seem too then I think I’d give it up and take up croquet,crown green bowling or tiddlywinks.
We are being linked with demba Ba now as a replacement. 28 though so just past his peak but only 7m thou wages could be problem
28 and just past his peak? Can you tell me at what age footballers reach there peak please?
I reached my footballing peak at 15, shortly before discovering beer.
Part ex with Benteke? Oh no I forgot he don’t want to go there but he’ll anywhere else as long as its Tottenham.
28 probably at his peak but not a lot of resale value but a very good player none the less.
Meh, either way at Ba’s age, he gets a 4 year deal or so, leaves on a free when his contract ends or he retires at Villa which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
As long as he fits in to the new policy of young, hungry and on low wages…
He’ll be hungry its Ramadan this month.
One out of three isn’t bad.
See Merson’s having a pop at us it the B’ham Mail, what it is with him and Savage they have the right arsehole with Villa, Savage yea I can understand he plied his very limited trade at the Sty but Merson donned the Claret And Blue so why always bad mouthing us?
I think he’s right we only just limped to safety with bentekes goals so without that 20 goal striker we are fucked especially with our defense